BETTER EGG NEXT TIME: Molly and Guido, both male, have been a couple for over a year at the East London Aquarium. Picture: NIGEL LOUW.
2009/04/10
BCM’s gay lovebirds set up nest together
A SPECIAL love story between two male penguins is playing out at the East London Aquarium. African penguins are known for pairing for life. When Guido and Molly became a couple back in February last year and set up nest together, aquarium staff were puzzled when no egg followed.
Chief marine services officer Siani Tinley said they were able to determine the gender of their birds by submitting blood samples to a veterinary laboratory.
“Staff were convinced that the couple were opposite sexes, hence their names, but tests confirmed both to be males,” said Tinley. Guido, 5, was bred at the aquarium while Molly was washed up at Cove Rock in 2006. After their first attempt at nesting failed, the two lovebirds started their nest up again in February this year. This time around, aquarium staff decided to put a false egg in the nest.
“Things went well and two weeks later one of the other penguin pairs rejected a real egg, so staff made a swap with the artificial egg,” said Tinley.
Guido and Molly carried on nesting quite proudly – but unfortunately two weeks later their nest was disturbed for some reason and the egg was kicked out.
“Their dedication in trying to successfully nest has amused and interested aquarium staff and we will continue to monitor their activities,” said Tinley.
When the Daily Dispatch paid a visit yesterday, the two were enjoying the afternoon sunshine together and it was clear that they cared very much about each other.
The Aquarium has opened its doors to the public and is fully functional again after vandals caused R500000 worth of damage in January this year.
Source:
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=307449
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